Overview

Project Overview

There is the requirement to migrate the existing server from Windows XP before the University remove support for Windows XP at the end of 2012

Background

This server runs applications called MeterRing, Dynamat and Optima for Estates and Buildings.  The MeterRing and Dynamat systems gather meter reading details that are interfaced to OPTIMA, who then provide analysis of the details for Estates and Buildings.  The server is located in an office in Estates and Buildings and is currently running under Windows XP.

As Windows XP is being deprecated at the end of the calendar year,  there is the need to move the application to a supported IS Apps infrastructure environment, the outcome of the investigations will recommend a solution compatible with the suppliers.

There are 3 current external suppliers/ vendors providing information consisting of:

Optima, the University’s selected energy monitoring database/reporting software, provides information to allow the submission of energy usage data to the software to then use in reporting.

The University currently chooses to use Optima as an external application, hosted remotely by the supplier. E&B then access the application by logging on to a website.

Optima has an interface to collect and send data to its server from the Dynamat and MeterRing systems. This interface is known as its Automatic Data Collector (ADC) module.

This ADC module (a Windows application) will run continuously on the same workstation as Dynamat and MeterRing in Estates, retrieving data from the Dynamat and MeterRing databases and collating it in a format ready for sending to Optima.

To File transfer Protocol (FTP) the data across, the ADC component is dependent on a further piece of software, SyncBack, which is a timed FTP upload/download utility. SyncBack

• firstly downloads the list of meters that the ADC should retrieve data for, and then
• secondly to send the actual data from those meters to Optima’s FTP server.

We already have the instructions for setting up SyncBack, which were previously provided by Optima.  

Summary of current processes

The system consists of the following key processes:

1. Dynamat retrieves data from meters and saves to SQL Server database
2. MeterRing retrieves data from meters and saves to SQL Server database
3. SyncBack downloads list of selected meters from Optima via FTP
4. Optima ADC uses the list obtained to retrieve data for each meter from SQL Server database, and process in a format ready for uploading
5. SyncBack uploads processed meter data to Optima via FTP
6. E&B see changes in Optima’s web application the next day

Additional information

1. Backups required
2. Dynamat and MeterRing are 2 separate energy recording systems
3. OPTIMA come in everyday to retrieve data
4. Current PC has 2GB RAM and 120 MB of hard disk
5. Requirement to ensure external access is available to server, for both Estates and Buildings staff and the external supplier Optima.
6. IS Apps to continue supporting the energy recording systems.
7. OPTIMA produces reports for Estates and Buildings and every month the Energy Analyst sends them out to therespective business areas.
8. Identified MeterRing and Dynamat run on 7 specific pc's, although Dynamat has only 3 concurrent user licenses.
9. OPTIMA monitors the metering usage of:

• gas
• water
• electricity
• heating
• cooling.

Scope, Objectives and Deliverables

Scope

To enable Optima, MeterRing and Dynamat to continue running  as at present on a supported IS Apps infrastructure. Out of Scope

Any enhancements to the systems (Scope is only to include what there is on a supported IS Apps infrastructure).

Objectives

There is the requirement to migrate the existing server from Windows XP before the University remove support at the end of 2012

Deliverables

1. Deliver MeterRing and Dynamat to an IS Apps managed supported infrastructure  
2. Ensure that OPTIMA can continue to Send and Receive data on the new/changed server

 Benefits

• That the systems will now be run in a secure and supported IS Apps infrastructure.
• Automatic backups.

Success Criteria

• That the energy recording systems continue to function as at presently.
• Demonstration of process to re-build virtual server environment.